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Nathaniel Mikhaylov

How to Include a Statement Pursuant To § 1.351-3 When Filing Personal Taxes

I've been pulling my hair out for the last couple days trying to figure this out with no luck. When I'm filing my personal taxes this year, I need to report a Statement Pursuant To § 1.351-3 for a Section 351 transaction I did last fall, but I'm completely lost on how to actually submit this. Do I need to use a specific IRS form to record this Section 351 transaction? Or am I supposed to literally type up my own statement in Word and somehow attach it to my tax return? And if I do need to create my own statement from scratch, can I still e-file my taxes, or do I have to mail everything in? Or should I file normally now and then do some kind of amended return just to include this statement? I've googled endlessly and can't find a straight answer on this. Any help would be massively appreciated!

The IRS doesn't provide a specific form for submitting a Statement Pursuant to § 1.351-3. You'll need to create your own written statement that includes all the required information about your Section 351 transaction. The statement should include details like the names and EINs of the parties involved, description of the property transferred, fair market value and basis of the property, and any securities received. The specific requirements are outlined in 26 CFR § 1.351-3. As for filing, you have a few options: - If e-filing, you can include it as a PDF attachment with your electronic return (most tax software allows for attachments) - If paper filing, simply include the printed statement with your return - If you've already filed, you can submit an amended return (Form 1040-X) and include the statement Most tax software has a way to attach PDF documents when e-filing, so you shouldn't need to mail anything separately if you prefer to file electronically.

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Thanks for that info! Do you know if there's any specific format the statement needs to follow? Like does it need certain headings or a particular structure to be considered valid by the IRS? I'm worried about getting it wrong.

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There's no mandated format or template for the statement, but it needs to contain all the required information specified in the regulations. Make sure your statement clearly identifies that it's a "Statement Pursuant to § 1.351-3" at the top. For structure, I recommend organizing it with clear headings for each information requirement: Identifying information for all parties, details of property transferred, values and basis amounts, and securities received. The key is making sure all required elements are included and clearly labeled so the IRS can easily verify your compliance with Section 351.

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I went through this exact headache last year! I couldn't find any guidance anywhere until I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai). It was a game-changer for my Section 351 situation. I uploaded the documents related to my transaction, and it helped me understand exactly what information needed to be in my statement. It even generated a properly formatted template that I could customize with my specific transaction details. Saved me hours of research and worry about whether I was doing it right. Their system actually reviewed my final statement before I submitted it to make sure it included all the elements required under § 1.351-3. Much better than the conflicting advice I was getting from random websites.

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Did it help with figuring out how to e-file the statement too? That's the part I'm stuck on. My tax software doesn't make it obvious where to attach additional statements.

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This sounds suspiciously like an ad. Did the service actually help with the mechanics of filing the statement with the IRS or just creating it? Big difference.

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It actually walked me through how to attach the statement to my e-filed return. Most tax software has a section for attachments or additional documents - usually found near the end of the filing process. The tool specifically pointed me to where this option would be in popular tax software platforms. This wasn't just a template generator - it analyzed my specific situation and helped me understand which records I needed to keep for future reference too. It definitely wasn't just creating a pretty document; it was making sure I had everything needed for proper compliance and then guiding me through the actual submission process.

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I was really skeptical about using an online tool for something as specific as a Section 351 transaction statement, but I gave taxr.ai a try after seeing it mentioned here. Have to admit I was wrong - it was actually incredibly helpful. The guidance was spot-on for my specific situation (transferring IP to my new S-Corp). It pointed out several elements I would have completely missed in my statement. What impressed me most was how it explained the reasoning behind each required disclosure so I understood WHY I needed to include certain information. When my accountant reviewed what I created, he was surprised at how comprehensive and correctly formatted it was. For anyone dealing with these specialized tax situations that most software doesn't handle well, it's worth checking out.

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If you've already filed and now realize you need to submit this statement, trying to get through to the IRS to ask questions is almost impossible these days. I spent 3+ hours on hold last month trying to ask about a similar issue. I ended up using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to get through to an actual IRS agent. Their system holds your place in line and calls you when an agent picks up. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent I spoke with confirmed that I could submit an amended return with just the statement attached (didn't need to change any numbers), and they explained exactly which processing center to mail it to based on my location. Saved me from potentially sending it to the wrong place and delaying processing.

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Wait, how does this actually work? You're saying this service somehow jumps the IRS phone queue? That sounds too good to be true.

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I've heard about these services that supposedly get you through to the IRS, but I'm skeptical. The IRS phone system is notoriously awful - how could a third party possibly fix that? And are you sure the advice you got was even correct?

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It doesn't jump the queue - it literally waits in line for you. They use an automated system that stays on hold so you don't have to, then calls you when an agent picks up. No magic, just technology handling the frustrating wait time. I verified the information I received by cross-checking with the instructions for Form 1040-X and Publication 555, which confirmed what the agent told me. The specific mailing address depends on your location, which is why speaking with an agent was helpful - they looked up the correct one for my situation. The advice matched official IRS guidance, but saved me from having to dig through multiple publications.

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Well I'll be damned. I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After expressing my doubts here, I decided to try it myself for an unrelated tax notice issue I've been trying to resolve. Got connected to an IRS representative in about 90 minutes (without me having to stay on the phone). The agent walked me through the exact process for submitting my § 1.351-3 statement with an already-filed return. Turns out I was overthinking it - I just needed to send in a 1040-X with "See attached statement" in Part III and include my statement as an attachment. For anyone dealing with these specialized tax situations where the guidance isn't clear online, sometimes talking directly to the IRS is the only way to get a definitive answer. And this service actually delivered as promised.

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Another approach I used last year was attaching my § 1.351-3 statement as a PDF within the "Miscellaneous Statements" or "Additional Information" section in TurboTax. I labeled it clearly and made sure to reference it in the main form where relevant. My return was accepted without issues. I also kept a paper copy of everything, including the statement, just in case the IRS requested additional information. They never did, which suggests the e-filed statement was sufficient.

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Does this work with other tax software too? I'm using H&R Block online and can't seem to find an equivalent section.

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H&R Block definitely has a similar feature, but they call it something different. Look for "Supporting Documents" or "Miscellaneous Forms" in the filing section. Usually it's near the end of the preparation process after you've completed all the main sections. If you're still having trouble finding it, try searching their help section for "attach documents" or "supporting documentation." Most major tax software has built this capability in specifically for situations like yours where there's no standard form for certain required statements.

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Does anybody know if there are specific penalties for not including this statement? I realized I needed to file one for a transaction I did in 2022, but I've already filed my taxes for that year and don't want to deal with an amended return if the penalties are minimal.

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You're playing with fire. The statement itself doesn't change your tax liability, but failing to file required documentation for a Section 351 transaction could potentially disqualify the tax-free treatment of the exchange. That could mean recognizing gain you otherwise wouldn't have to.

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@Miguel Harvey is absolutely right about the risks. The failure to file the required statement could jeopardize the entire Section 351 tax-free treatment, which would be much more costly than just filing an amended return. I'd strongly recommend filing the 1040-X with the statement attached. The IRS generally doesn't impose specific penalties just for missing the statement if you file it promptly once you realize the error, but they could challenge the tax-free nature of your transaction if you don't have proper documentation on file. Given that 2022 returns, you still have time before the statute of limitations runs out. Better to be safe and get it properly documented now.

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